When you need to ship a vehicle, choosing the right type of transportation is an important decision. Two of the most common options are open auto transport and enclosed auto transport. While open transport is the most common and affordable way to ship a vehicle, enclosed auto transport offers a higher level of protection and privacy.
For owners of luxury, exotic, classic, collector, custom, or high-value vehicles, enclosed transportation can be worth the additional cost. Your vehicle travels inside a covered trailer, helping protect it from weather, road debris, dirt, and other outside elements during transportation.
At LISCA Auto Transport, we help customers ship vehicles throughout the United States using both open and enclosed carriers. If you’re wondering whether enclosed car shipping is right for you, here are some of the biggest benefits.
What Is Enclosed Auto Transport?
Enclosed auto transport is a vehicle shipping service where your car is transported inside a fully covered trailer.
Unlike an open carrier, where vehicles are visible and exposed to normal outdoor conditions, an enclosed trailer provides a protective barrier around the vehicles being transported.
Enclosed carriers are commonly used for vehicles that require additional care, including luxury cars, exotic cars, classic vehicles, collector cars, sports cars, and custom vehicles.
Because enclosed trailers generally carry fewer vehicles than large open carriers, enclosed transportation can also provide a more specialized shipping experience.
1. Extra Protection From Weather
One of the biggest reasons customers choose enclosed auto transport is protection from weather conditions.
During a long-distance shipment, a carrier may travel through several different states and experience changing weather along the way. Rain, snow, wind, dust, and other conditions are a normal part of driving across the country.
With enclosed transportation, your vehicle remains inside the trailer during transit. This provides an additional layer of protection between your vehicle and the outside environment.
For a standard everyday vehicle, exposure to normal weather may not be a major concern. However, owners of rare, expensive, freshly restored, or highly customized vehicles may prefer the additional protection that enclosed shipping provides.
2. Protection From Road Debris
Weather isn’t the only thing vehicles can encounter on the highway.
Small rocks, dirt, dust, insects, and other road debris can be kicked up while a carrier travels hundreds or even thousands of miles.
With open transportation, vehicles are exposed to normal highway conditions. Enclosed auto transport helps reduce this exposure because the vehicle is protected by the walls and roof of the trailer.
This can be especially valuable if your vehicle has:
- Custom paint
- A vinyl wrap
- Ceramic coating
- Expensive bodywork
- Carbon-fiber components
- Custom wheels
- Recently completed restoration work
If you’ve invested a significant amount of money into the appearance of your vehicle, enclosed transport can provide additional peace of mind.
3. An Excellent Choice for Luxury and Exotic Cars
Luxury and exotic vehicles often require additional attention during transportation.
Vehicles from manufacturers such as Ferrari, Lamborghini, Porsche, Bentley, Rolls-Royce, Aston Martin, McLaren, Mercedes-Benz, and other premium brands can be extremely valuable. Even relatively minor cosmetic damage may be expensive to repair.
That’s why many owners choose enclosed transportation when moving these types of vehicles.
Whether you’re purchasing an exotic car from another state, moving across the country, sending a vehicle to an event, or transporting it between properties, enclosed shipping can help provide the additional protection you want.
4. Ideal for Classic and Collector Vehicles
Classic vehicles are another popular choice for enclosed auto transportation.
Many classic cars have been carefully restored over several years. Others may contain original parts, rare finishes, or features that are difficult or expensive to replace.
A collector vehicle may also have sentimental value that goes far beyond its market price.
Enclosed transportation helps limit the vehicle’s exposure to outside conditions while it is being transported. For collectors who want their vehicle handled with additional care, this can make enclosed shipping an attractive option.
5. Better for Low-Clearance and Specialty Vehicles
Many exotic, performance, and modified vehicles sit much lower to the ground than standard passenger cars.
Low ground clearance can make loading and unloading more complicated because the front bumper, splitter, side skirts, or underbody may sit close to the ground.
Enclosed carriers that specialize in high-end vehicles may have equipment designed to accommodate low-clearance vehicles more effectively.
If your vehicle has been lowered or has an aftermarket body kit, let your auto transport company know before scheduling the shipment. Providing accurate information about modifications helps ensure that the appropriate carrier and equipment can be arranged.
6. More Privacy During Transportation
Enclosed transportation also provides an additional level of privacy.
On an open carrier, the vehicles being transported are visible. With an enclosed trailer, your vehicle remains inside the trailer and is generally not visible to people along the route.
For most vehicles, this isn’t an important factor. However, privacy can be valuable when transporting rare collector cars, exotic vehicles, prototypes, custom builds, or other high-value automobiles.
7. A Good Option for Car Shows and Auctions
Enclosed auto transport is also popular among customers transporting vehicles to and from car shows, auctions, exhibitions, and special events.
When presenting a vehicle at an event, appearance matters. Owners may spend hours detailing and preparing a vehicle before transportation.
Using an enclosed carrier can help keep the vehicle protected from normal road dirt and weather while it travels to its destination.
This can be particularly helpful for show cars, restored classics, collector vehicles, and specialty builds.
8. Useful When Buying an Expensive Car Out of State
Today, many people purchase vehicles online or from dealerships located hundreds or thousands of miles away.
If you’re spending a significant amount of money on a vehicle, you may not want to immediately drive it across the country.
Enclosed car shipping allows you to have the vehicle transported from the dealership, seller, auction house, or another pickup location directly to your destination.
This can save you from putting unnecessary highway miles on a newly purchased vehicle while also providing additional protection during transportation.
9. Helps Avoid Adding Unnecessary Mileage
One of the benefits of professional auto transportation in general is avoiding unnecessary mileage on your vehicle.
Driving a vehicle from California to Florida, for example, can add thousands of miles to the odometer. It also means additional fuel costs, hotel stays, meals, and wear on tires and other components.
Professional auto transportation allows your vehicle to make the trip on a carrier instead.
For collector, exotic, or low-mileage vehicles, keeping unnecessary mileage off the odometer may be especially important.
10. Specialized Handling for High-Value Vehicles
Enclosed carriers regularly work with specialty and high-value vehicles.
Because of the types of vehicles they transport, enclosed carrier drivers are often accustomed to dealing with vehicles that require additional attention during loading, securing, transportation, and unloading.
Before your vehicle is loaded, its condition should be documented. It’s also important to inspect your vehicle again when it is delivered.
At LISCA Auto Transport, we recommend customers review their vehicle at both pickup and delivery and make sure the vehicle’s condition is properly documented.
Open vs. Enclosed Auto Transport
Both open and enclosed auto transport can be good options. The right choice depends on the vehicle you’re shipping, your budget, and how much protection you want during transportation.
Open auto transport is the most commonly used method. It is typically more affordable and works well for everyday vehicles, SUVs, pickup trucks, and many other standard vehicles.
Enclosed auto transport costs more but provides additional protection from weather, dirt, road debris, and outside exposure.
If you’re shipping a Toyota, Honda, Nissan, Ford, Chevrolet, or another everyday vehicle, open transportation will often make the most financial sense.
If you’re transporting a Ferrari, Lamborghini, classic Corvette, restored muscle car, Bentley, Porsche, McLaren, or another high-value vehicle, paying extra for enclosed transportation may be worth considering.
Does Enclosed Auto Transport Cost More?
Yes. Enclosed auto transport generally costs more than open auto transport.
There are fewer enclosed carriers on the road, and enclosed trailers typically transport fewer vehicles at a time. The equipment can also be more specialized.
The exact price of enclosed car shipping depends on several factors, including:
- Pickup and delivery locations
- Total transportation distance
- Vehicle year, make, and model
- Vehicle size and weight
- Whether the vehicle is operational
- Pickup timeframe
- Current carrier availability
- Seasonal demand
- Fuel prices
- Route popularity
Because transportation conditions and carrier availability can change, it’s best to request a current quote for your specific vehicle and route.
Is Enclosed Auto Transport Worth the Extra Cost?
It depends on what you’re shipping.
For an everyday vehicle, open transportation is usually perfectly suitable and can save you money.
However, enclosed transportation may be worth the additional cost if your vehicle is particularly valuable, rare, customized, restored, or difficult to repair.
Think about the value of the vehicle and how concerned you are about outside exposure during transportation. Sometimes paying more for enclosed transportation is worth it simply for the additional protection and peace of mind.
What Types of Vehicles Should Be Shipped Enclosed?
You may want to consider enclosed auto transport for:
- Exotic cars
- Luxury vehicles
- Classic cars
- Antique vehicles
- Collector cars
- Sports cars
- Custom vehicles
- Restored vehicles
- Show cars
- Vehicles with custom paint or wraps
- Low-clearance vehicles
- Rare or limited-production vehicles
- High-value vehicles
That doesn’t mean these vehicles must always be shipped enclosed. Ultimately, the choice depends on your preferences, budget, and the level of protection you want.
How to Prepare Your Vehicle for Enclosed Transport
Preparing your vehicle properly can make the shipping process easier.
Before pickup, remove important personal belongings and valuables from the vehicle. Make sure the carrier has the correct pickup and delivery information and inform the transport company of any vehicle modifications.
You should also check the vehicle for existing scratches, dents, or other cosmetic issues before it is loaded.
Taking clear photos from multiple angles before pickup is a good idea. Keep those photos until the transportation process is complete.
If your vehicle has low ground clearance, aftermarket modifications, mechanical issues, or is not running, make sure to mention this when requesting your quote. This information can affect the type of equipment required to transport your vehicle.
Door-to-Door Enclosed Auto Transport
In many cases, enclosed transportation can be arranged as a door-to-door service.
This means the carrier will attempt to pick up and deliver the vehicle as close to the requested addresses as safely and legally possible.
However, large auto transport trucks need enough space to safely enter, turn around, load, and unload vehicles. Residential streets with low trees, narrow roads, weight restrictions, tight turns, or other obstacles may not be accessible.
If the carrier cannot safely reach your exact address, the driver may coordinate a nearby accessible location, such as a large parking lot or another safe meeting point.
Enclosed Auto Transport Across the Country
Enclosed transportation can be used for both shorter routes and cross-country vehicle shipments.
Customers commonly use enclosed transport when relocating, purchasing a vehicle out of state, attending an auction, moving a collector car, sending a vehicle to a show, or transporting a seasonal vehicle between homes.
Whether you’re shipping from California to Florida, New York to California, Massachusetts to Texas, or another route across the United States, the goal remains the same: transport your vehicle safely while minimizing unnecessary exposure during the trip.
Choose LISCA Auto Transport for Your Vehicle Shipment
Choosing between open and enclosed transportation doesn’t have to be complicated.
At LISCA Auto Transport, we help customers arrange reliable vehicle transportation throughout the United States. We offer both open and enclosed auto transport options, allowing you to choose the service that best fits your vehicle, budget, and transportation needs.
If you’re shipping an everyday vehicle and want an affordable option, open transportation may be the right choice. If you’re transporting a luxury, exotic, classic, custom, or high-value vehicle and want additional protection, enclosed transportation may be the better solution.
Our goal is to make the vehicle shipping process straightforward from the initial quote through pickup and delivery.
Get a Free Enclosed Auto Transport Quote
Planning to ship a luxury, exotic, classic, collector, or specialty vehicle?
Contact LISCA Auto Transport today for a free enclosed auto transport quote. Tell us your pickup location, delivery location, vehicle information, and preferred shipping timeframe, and our team will help you find the transportation option that works best for your shipment.
LISCA Auto Transport — Reliable Vehicle Shipping From Pickup to Delivery.